(Post title inspired by Ratatouille, which does live up to the hype.)

Along with going smoke-free, the UK had another change on July 1, albeit one of less general interest: the Solicitors' Regulation Authority replaced the Guide to the Professional Conduct of Solicitors with the Solicitors' Code of Conduct for conduct that occurs after June 30 (prior conduct is still governed by the Guide). The SRA sounds the same as state bars, except that they do a few things that I don't know to be true of all state bars.

- We monitor the performance of organisations that provide legal training.
- We work with people and organisations that monitor our own performance, such as the Legal Services Ombudsman, Legal Services Complaints Commissioner and the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
- When necessary, we close down solicitors' firms so as to protect clients and the wider public, and returning papers and monies to their owners.
- We refer solicitors to the independent Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and deal with the prosecutions.
- We run a compensation fund to help people who have lost money as a result of a solicitor's dishonesty or failure to account for money they have received.

Alas, the change doesn't include letting non-QC solicitors wear wigs -- reportedly a sore subject for some time.